Weekly Roundup: Bioiberica receives CSR management certification, Nestlé launches Healthier Kids Initiative

30 Jul 2021 --- This week in nutrition news, Bioiberica received certification for its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) management system, which aligns with the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs). Meanwhile, Nestlé launched Global Nestlé for Healthier Kids Initiative in the US and a study found that keto diets may lead to heart risks, cancer and other health issues.

In brief: Business news
Bioiberica received certification for its CSR management system. Bioiberica says it is the first pharmaceutical company in Spain to be awarded the certificate. Following an assessment procedure, Bureau Veritas awarded Bioiberica the accreditation, citing the company’s “strong alignment” with six of the UN’s 17 SDGs. The six goals include the assurance of maintaining (employees’) good health and well-being, affordable and clean energy, encouraging economic growth, sustainable industrialization, promotion of responsible consumption and the advocation for inequality reduction and social inclusion.

Verdant Nature, manufacturers of the Verdant Oasis brand and a producer of phytocannabinoid and CBD-rich hemp oil products, announced its partnership with CReDO Science, a biopharma holding company. The partnership will consult on developing proprietary, high-quality hemp-derived formulations for companies positioning their products in the CBD category. Additionally, the alliance will advise companies looking to enter the CBD market to develop innovative, high-quality hemp-derived compositions.The keto diet’s potential long-term risks include heart disease, cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. 

Groove, a vitamin supplements brand, partnered with Call A Doctor Plus US, a telehealth service company and distributor of the health services offered by Teledoc Health. The partnership will enable Groove to provide its products to a wide range of customers. Nearly four out of ten Americans have chosen remote telehealth services over in-person appointments since 2020. This equates to approximately 100 million people. Therefore, the partnership will benefit both parties involved, and they will commence this exchange shortly.

In brief: Launches and releases
24hr Supplement introduced a formula that features nine ingredients called Joint Support. The formula’s pain relief impact on knees, ankles, hips, shoulders, wrists and elbows was studied. The chemicals found in the TurmiZn-OS triple metal complex (curcumin, tetrahydrocurcumin and zinc) have been demonstrated to protect the joint and tissue infrastructure against degradation by decreasing pro-inflammatory signals and reducing oxidative stress. This reduces pain and improves joint function, especially in chronic knee pain and joint arthritis. Joint Support also contains type II collagen and MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), which support cartilage and collagen formation in joints, respectively.

TB12 launched a supplement solution to improve sleep hygiene and improve brain function and overall health. It contains L-theanine, chamomile flower extract, GABA and melatonin. The health and wellness company also partnered with Under Armour for branded Under Armour Recovery Sleepwear, created with mineral-lined fabric that helps rebuild muscles and provides energy to the body during sleep. The company targets consumers who would want to improve their overall sleep hygiene holistically.

In brief: Programs and initiatives
Nestlé launched Nestlé for Healthier Kids, a global flagship initiative in the US. The program is called “Start Healthy, Stay Healthy” and provides nutrition education to parents. It focuses on the first 1,000 days of a child’s life and provides families with evidence-based nutritional information. Nestlé for Healthier Kids has the objective of helping 50 million children live healthier lives by 2030. Accelerating the implementation of grassroots programs to better equip parents and caregivers with nutritional knowledge and practical suggestions is a crucial component of the worldwide Nestlé for Healthier Kids campaign.

Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences (SCNM) announced the launch of its program, the Master of Science in Nutrition Business Leadership program (MSNBL). The MSNBL was created with input from global industry experts within the natural products industry and thought-leaders. It is oriented toward working professionals on an executive pathway and trains students of nutritional sciences, supply chain, regulations, leadership and management. The program provides graduates with the necessary evidence-based nutrition and business knowledge and abilities, allowing them to immediately bring value to their companies and careers.

In brief: Announcements and certifications
The World Health Organization (WHO) is set to review seven unscheduled psychotropic drugs, including kratom. The WHO will check these under the terms of the international psychotropic convention. Kratom is an unregulated psychotropic herbal extract. According to WHO, kratom and its two active ingredients, mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine, are in the pre-review status. The pre-review procedure examines whether there is sufficient evidence to bring the substance before the Expert Committee on Drug Dependence for a formal review.Lactobacillus Plantarum TCI 378 from kimchi holds potential for good gut health. 

TCI Japan successfully isolated Lactobacillus Plantarum TCI 378 from kimchi. Due to a proprietary extraction and “amplification” technique, probiotic counts that could previously only be obtained by eating a large quantity of kimchi are now included in nutritional supplements with small serving sizes, allowing the “good bacteria” to reach the intestines more easily. TCI Japan infuses 100 billion live probiotics into each small glass bottle of drink, almost equal to the entire probiotic count in ten bottles of conventional lactic acid bacteria drinks, using a high-efficiency fermentation method. Additionally, high counts of living cultures can be kept alive in the drinks for 18 months at room temperature. Kimchi is rich in dietary fiber, vitamins A, B, and C and probiotics.

Bon Natural Life, a bio-ingredient solutions provider, announced its third production facility in the material, chemical industrial park of Yumen City, China. This marked a crucial milestone in its growth strategy. The Yumen Plant is planned to expand Bon’s production capacity of fragrance compounds and bioactive food components by 200 percent. Yumen Plant is under development and is expected to be operational between June to September 2022.

In brief: Research and studies
A study found that Lodaat Pharma’s Ashwadaat ashwagandha ingredient was beneficial in reducing stress and other related symptoms, as well as enhancing sleep quality and overall quality of life without causing any adverse side effects. Thirty people suffering from stress and insomnia were considered for the study. For 30 days, study participants were instructed to take Ashwadaat in a dose of two capsules twice a day. The use of Ashwadaat resulted in a statistically significant reduction in stress and insomnia. When compared to baseline ratings, there was a substantial improvement in sleep quality and improved quality of life at days 15 and 30. From baseline to 30 days, morning serum cortisol levels were lower.

A review funded by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that keto diets could increase certain health risks for pregnant women and kidney disease patients. The review argues that the keto diet’s potential long-term risks, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease, outweigh its potential benefits for most people.

By Nicole Kerr